River View in Italy
mid-17th-mid-18th century
Think of Gaspar Van Wittel as the 18th-century equivalent of a travel influencer, but with a sketchbook instead of a smartphone. This Dutch artist moved to Italy and essentially invented the 'postcard view' of Rome, known as *vedute*. In this sketch, you can see his raw, on-the-spot process: loose, energetic lines capture the riverbank and boats with a sense of urgency, as if he was racing the fading light. It’s a messy, beautiful snapshot that shows the groundwork behind his famous, hyper-detailed cityscapes.
Views: 5